On day five of competition, Deaten Registe was the sole competitor for Team Ireland in the La Défense Arena water. Relatively new to the international stage, Registe headed into these Games having competed in just one other major international meet, the 2024 European Para Swimming Championships.

The Lisburn City swimmer was up against fierce competition in the 100m Breaststroke (SB14), including World Record holder and Tokyo gold medallist Naohide Yamaguchi (Japan) and Tokyo silver medallist Jake Michel of Australia, both in his heat. Registe showed he can hold his own against the best coming fourth in his heat and eight overall with a time of 1:08.49 to secure a place in tonight’s final.

Speaking initially after the race, Registe said: “I feel good, the race went okay but I feel like I’ve got more in me, I’m happy. I just want to go out there, try my best, give it my all and see what I can do. To make a final on my Paralympic debut, I’m just over the moon, my coach (Stan Sheppard) was here supporting me too.”

Speaking on the support, Registe added: “It’s been class, watching the racing the last few days has me excited to race, seeing the crowd and stuff, it’s been great.”

Registe will be back in the water this evening for his maiden Paralympic Games final appearance, set to get underway at 5:13pm (IRL).

Result – 2nd September

SB14 100m Breaststroke Heat: Deaten Registe – 1:08.49 (8th), Q

Schedule – 2nd September

SB14 100m Breaststroke Final: Deaten Registe – 5:13pm (IRL)